Drying-machine.



J. 0. WOODSOME.

DRYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.19, 1911.

, Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

vw, I iiw J. O. WOODSOMB.

DRYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.19, 1911.

.4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

o .a @ll 513551212335 WITNESSES INVENTOR m wdwarmw J. 0. WOODSOME.

DRYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.19,1911.

Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESE'LQ INVENTOR v 1 I: WWW/W y ofw fir W? J. O; WOODSOME.

DRYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.19, 1911.

1,1 14,21 5. Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT orFroE. I

JOHN o. WOODSOME, or cHIcAeo, ILLi'Nois assrenon T CRANE counter, or

' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS;

DRYING-MACHINE.

a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ofCook and State of Illinois, have made certain new and usefulImprovements in Drying-Machines, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to drying machines, such for example aspaper making machines, cloth drying machines and the like, wherein steamis used as a heating or drying agent; It has for its rimary objects animproved arrangement 0 -drying machines whereby the greatest possiblenumber of heat units are utilizedthereby eifecting a great saving inoperation; and an increase in efliciency; the provision of improvedmeans'for securing proper temperature in the heating or drying cylindersof the apparatus; the provision of improved means for preventing theaccumulation of water of condensation in the drying cylinders, and ingeneral the provision of an improved arrangement of drying machine whichis silnple and very economical, eflicient in operation and easilyregulated.

These together with such other objects as may hereinafterpappear, or areincidental to my invent on I obtam by means of a constructionlllustrated in preferred form 1 in the accompanying drawings, wherein 5and it is one of the chief objects of my in- "vention to provide meansfor keeping the Edrying rolls comparatively free from con-- densation,thereby facilitating proper regulation of temperature.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a paper machine,

Figure 2 is a section on the line IIII' of Figure 1 drawn to an enlargedscale,

Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a plan and side elevation of a detailof my'inven- Figure 1, it will be seen that I have dia-v grammaticallyillustrated apaper machine tion,

Figure 5 is a section on an enlarged scale through an improvedvacuumbreaking apparatus I employ in carrying out my invention, and

Figure 6 is a plan view of another detail of my invention. In thedrawings I have shown my invention applied to a paper making machine,but it will be understood that the invention is equally well applicableto cloth drying machines or other similar dryingmachines especiallywhere steam is the heating or drying agent employed. In making paper bymachines the'p'aper pulp is passedv chine contains substantially 50% ofwater Specification of Letters Patent.

- of hollow heatin and leaves-the machines in the form of paperwithsubstantially no moisture,'thewater being gradually dried out orevaporated as the pulp passes .over the drying cylinders. Incloth dryingmachines the moisture is taken out in a similar manner. It is well knownto those familiar with this art that Patented oat. 20,1914. Applicationfiled August 19, 1911. SeriaI No. 645,008. I

depends upon the maintenance of proper temperatures in the dryingcylinders, any material variation from the correct; temperatureresulting either-ina total lossv or an inferior grade ofarticle. Inpaper making machines if the temperature be too high in the firstcylinders the pulp will be blown away from the cylinders or will crackor cockle which necessitates a closing down of the machine and entails aloss of time and labor. Heretofore paper making machines have beenusually dlvided into two sections,

in the first of which steam at low pressure is used as the heatingagent, and'in the sec- 0nd steam at a higher pressure, which gives thesecond. section a higher temperature than .the first section.The,difiiculty in maintaining proper temperatures in these sectionsarises chiefly from the accumulation of condensation in the drying rollsand from the. failure to secure a'proper r te offlow of steam from thesteam inletside of the machine to the return or discharge'side,

",Referrin to the drawings, particularly composed of four. sections, A,B, C and D, or drying cylinders or rolls 1 of the usua type. Steam issupplied to the sections B, C and D from pipes l 1'1', which lead intosupply headers'2- 2 2, from which the steam is carried into the dryingcylinders 1, by means of the pipes 33, a few only of which areindicated. These pipes 3 enter onetrunnion of the cylinders in the usualmariner (see Figure 2). On the discharge or return side of the machine Ihave provided a receiving header 4 for each section these receivingheaders being connected to one trunnion of each drying roll by means ofthe connecting pipes-7-7 in the usual manner. :It will be already statedhereinafter be set forth- The receiving headers are connected' tocontrollers 6 by means of the pipes 5, each one of which is connected tothe receiving headersat several points. The controllers 6 are providedto receivewater of condensation from the apparatus and are connected toa live steam pipe 8 which in turn has communication with a sourceofsteam supply at a point beyond that part of the pipe shownv brokenaway at .the right hand of Figure 1, and are also connected by means ofthe outlet connections 9' to a discharge pipe 9 leading to the boilersor elsewhere. The controllers for the sections B, G and D are also pro-.

vided with pipes 101010, (hereinafter termed vent pipes) which providean outlet for the steam from the controller to 'a' pipe 2 which isconnected at a point'marked 11 with the header 2 in the section A, for apurpose which will hereinafter appear.

Referring now to Figures. 3 and 4 it will be seen that the controller 6comprises a tilting tank 16 mounted for oscillation in the framework 17on the trunnions 18 and 19 as is usual. As here shown and referring morespecifically to any one of the sections B, C or D, the numeral 5indicates the pipe leading from the receiving header 4 to thecontroller; 9 indicates the pipe connecting the "controller to the maindischarge'line 9; 10 is the ventpipe leading from the controller tothepipe 2 which as communicates with the header 2 for the section A; and 8is the live steam supply pipe which connects the steam pipe 8 with thecontroller. These various pipes are controlled by valves in casingswhich open into the trunnions 18 and 19, the valve 20 controlling thesteam outlet or vent pipe 10; thevalv'e 21 the live steam inlet pipe 8;the check valve 22 controlling the condensation inlet pipe 5; and thevalve 23 the discharge or outlet pipe 9.

The valves 20, 21, and 23 are operated by the .tilting of the tankthrough the rods .24 actuating the stems 26 carried by the levers 25which are fulcrumed as indicated at 26?, the parts being so arrangedthatwhen the.

discharge valve 23 and the live steam inlet valve 21 are closed, theventor steam outlet valve 20 is open and the check valve 22 similarlyopen so as to permit the condensation to enter the tank. When the'tankis depressed to its lower position the steam inlet.

valve 21 and the discharge outlet valve 23 are opened and the vent valve20 and the check valve 22 are closed. The said trunnions and valvecasings .of the controllers are of the type usually employed in steamtraps and are further providedgwith the discharge pipe 27 and the steamopening 28 located m a divided 28"Which projects into the tank.

From the foregoing it is apparent that when thetank is in raisedposition and receiving condensation from the pipe 5 through the opencheck valve 22, reduction of pressure in the tank is efiected throughthe open valve 20 communicating with the vent .pipe 10. When'filled, thecontents of the tank overbalances the weight 16 thereby depressing thetank and closing the last mentioned valves and simultaneously openingthe valves 21 and 23. The live steam from the pipe 8 then passes throughthe valve 21, trunnion 19, one division of the divided T, and opening28, forcing the contents of the tank through the pipe 27, the otherdivision of the T, trunnion 18, valve 23 and thence through the pipe-9.The tank then reverts to its former position through the action of thecounter-balancing weight.

Figure 5 is a section through the check Valve 22 and the valve 29 whichlatter is de signed to automatically break any vacuum forming in thedrying apparatus. This valve comprises a disk 30, stem 31 and seat 32and is normally held in closed position by means of the spring 33mounted on the stem 31. A foraminousintake plate 34 is mounted above thestem and permits the en-, trance of air through the valve into the main.valve chamber when any vacuum in the pipe 5 overcomes the pressure ofthe spring 33 and unseats the disk 30. Y

Figure 6 is a plan view of the valve an d illustrates the intake plate.It will be apparent that the swing check valve 22 not only serves toprevent a back flow into the pipes 5 when pressure is admitted to thecontroller in order to discharge the collected condensation therefrom,but also prevents any vacuum fromdrawing condensation from thecontroller back into the apparatus and permits the operation of thevacuum breaking valve 29.

Referring to the arrangement of the controller and piping for thesection A, it will be seen that the vent pipe 10' instead of leading tothe pipe or header 2' leads into one of th'e trunnions of the firstdrying cylinder 12.

steam will now be set forth; From each of A discharge pipe 34 leads fromthe trunnion 115 and emptiesinto the main discharge or return pipe 9 tothe boiler. The plpe. 34 may be opened to the atmosphere at the 'POlIltmark d 34, in cases where the dlscharge pipe leads to a boiler or thelike. In cases where the discharge pipe has a free end that is open tothe atmosphere it will not be necessary to have the pipe 34 open to theatmosphere. The previous arrangement 15 the more advantageous in thatthere is but little wasteof steam.-

The source of steam supplled to the sections 13, O and D has beendescribed and the manner of supplying the section A with the receivingheaders ,4 a pipe marked 36 1'5. tion A throughthe pipe leads to thepipe. 2". These: pipes 36 are provided with controlling valves F andwith.

the pipes 7 into the receiving headers 4: and

thence into the pipes 3.6. It passes through the pipes 36 into the pipe2 and from the pipe 2' it enters the header 2 for the section A at the.point marked 11. From the header 2 it enters the drying cylinders of thesecs 3. A portion of the steam which enters the sections G and Dcondenses and,'de'pendent upon the rate of flow of steam through thesecylinders, the condensation may remain-in suspension .in the steam or itmay flow into the receivers or headers 4, which have a large area sothat this condensation which is at a comparatively high temperature willat least partially turn back into steam at a lower pressure andtemperature and be carried throughthe pipes 36 into the pipe 2. I havefound by tests that there is a comparatively small amount ofcondensation from the section D which-remains in the form of.

water and passes into the controller 6 for this section. In thesection'C a larger portion of the condensation remains in the form ofwater and enters the controller 6. In the section B the same'conditionsas those de- 1 scribed in the sections C and D take place,

Q but not in the same degree. Inthe sections over these sections.

B, and D where the steam is supplied at a temperature above 212, thesensible heat .is utilized in drying the paper as it passes It entersthe section A at substantially 212 and the'latent heat contained in thesteam is here utilized for heating the drying cylinders. The section Ais the section which first receives the pulp and consequently thissection must do the bulk of the work in evaporating the mois- ,ture fromthe pulp. I have found that the uselof the latent heat units in steamfor heating the first section is most effective inasmuch as the latentheat'can be absorbed or taken from the steam as fast as it can besupplied. This arrangement is veryadvantageous inthat the bulk of thedrying or evaporating of the excessive moisture from the pulpshould bedonein the first section at a temperature which will not be so high asto cause the formation of steam between the pulp and its conveyer overthe cylinders, which-formation of steam causes the'blow-ing away of thepulp. The use of the latent heat units glves a large proportion ofiheatat a comparatively low't emperature. When the machine s once in oper-.ation the section A ,acts asacondenser. for

the entire apparatus, the steam substan tiallyat 212 1n this sectioncondensmg so rapidly that it induces a constant flow of large volumes ofsteam from the heating cylinders of the sections B,C and D through 7 thepipes 36, pipe 2 and header 2*. This flow. of steam fromthe sections B,O and D to the section A has two important results, first in that itprevents any accumulation of condensation in the drying cylinders ofthese, sections, and second in that it affords a means for regulatingthe temperature ofv the sections. The. collection of condensation in thedrying cylinders B, C, and D has been found to be detrimental because itwould cause a variation in the temperature and as previously pointedout, .material variations in the temperature of the various dryingcylinders result in reducing the eificiency of the machine both incapacity and product. The velocity ;of the flow of steam from the dryingcylinders through the pipes 36 can be regulated by means of thecontrolling valves F, and-the temperature of the sections B, C and D isgreatly dependent upon the rate of flow of the steam from the steamsupply side to the discharge. side. It will be thus seen that by thisarrangement a very simple, effective and, accurate means for controlllng95.; the'temperature of the sections is provided.

:In conjunction with the control afiorded by the valvesF, the valves Gprovided in the lvent pipes 1O serve to aid in controlling thetemperature. The rapid consumption of steam in the section A alsoinduces 'a flow' of steam through the controllers and through the ventpipes 10 which has-a -tendencyto draw the condensation collecting in thecylinders al'IdLI'GCGlVGIS 4 into the controllers 6' from whence it canbe discharged. The rate of flow of condensation from the re-' ceiversinto the controllers is determined by the flow of steam in the ventpipes 10 just described. This rate of flow is regulated by the valves-G.The valves 14 and 15-respectively the pipes 3 and 7. afford a, means forcutting out individual drying cylinders in case of breakage or leakageand -thepheck valves 36 and 35 prevent. any back" flow-into the pipes 36and vent pipes 10.

In order to secure a fiow through-the drying cylinders of the sectionsA, I have provided the following arrangement; the first roll 12 of thissection is not connected to the header 2*, andthe vent pipe 10 in thiscase connects the controller to a trunnion .of the cylinde'r'12.- Thedischarge pipe 34 leading from the cylinder 12 is normally open to theatmosphere at the point marked 34, which permitsla flow from the steaminlet side to the discharge side of the cylinders of this section. Inthis way all the air in the. apparatus finds a means of escape. As;-

the condensatlon in this section which redensation from the controllersis at a higher pressure than that supplying the cylinders andconsequently passes from the controllers through the vent pipes 10 intothe pipe 2' in the case of the sections B, C and D, and in section A itpasses through the vent pipe 10 into the cylinder 12. It is in bothcases utilized for heating the cylinders and affords a saving.

I have found that by dividing the appa ratus into four sections ofdrying cylinders, a better quality of article is secured and theeificiency of the machine greatly increased, particularly with respectto the amount of production. By supplying each section independentlywith steam and by providing a receiver for each section, and by usingthe section A as a condenser for the apparatus, 1 am enabled to regulateand maintain the temperature of each section at any degree, which isbest suited to the particular work in" hand. By utilizing the sensibleheat units and also the latent heat units in the steam it will beobvious that a great saving is efiected in operation in addition to thebeneficial resultspreviously pointed out which are obtained by usingthelatent heat units in heatin the rolls of the first section, Thereceiving eaders 4 are of large diameter in order that the condensationwill collect in the bottom and not interfere with the flow of steam tothe pipes 36, besides affording a large area to permit-condensation at ahigh temperature-to flash to steam at a lower temperature, which steampasses to the section A of the machine as previously described. f

In cloth drying machines the drying cyl 'inders are very thin and theformation of a vacuum will cause a breakage in the cylinders. Vacuumsform in the cylinders almost coincident with the shutting ofl ofpressure when the machine is closed down for any purpose. It has alsobeen found that the formation of vacuums following the shutting offofthe steam causes the packings of the trunnionsof the cylinders toloosen and cut out, entailing quite a loss 'of time and labor. By myimproved arrangement there is no binding in the entire apparatus and theair can reach all parts of the machine so rapidly that but one vacuumbreaking valve 'is required in each section: This *is'thevalve in thecontroller marked 29. Heretofore in cloth drying machines each indibeingthe only point .normally open to the atmosphere. There is however but atrifling waste of energy, inasmuch as the section A condenses the steamso fast that there is hardly any flow to the cylinder '12 through thecontroller andvent pipe 10'. That the arrangement is not onlyeconomical-in this heat units contained in the steam will readily beapparent. I have found-that by my improved arrangements, 2 the apparatuswill operate with great efliciency even when run on steam supplied atlowpressure, which vidu'al roll has been provided with a vacurespect,but also in the saving it effects in utilizing the greatest numberpossible of the also effects a great saving. In addition to theadvantages already set forth the'securing'of a flow of steam through theapparatus is advantageous in that the air which forms in the cylindersduring use is carried along with the steam and eventually 'finds anescape through the pipe 34 of the first cglinder 12. This is aconvenient metho of taking care of the air in the apparatus and doesaway with the use of manually operated by-passes which have ordinarilybeen found necessary in devices of this character.

These and other advantages will be readil seen by those familiar withthe art;

The receiving pipes H may be appro priately termed return or dischargepipes,

and the section A may likewise be termed a condensing system,-.asbesides serving to dry the material as it passes over thecylinders, itserves as a condenser for the balance of the apparatus in order toinduce a proper flow of steam through the other sectlons as has beenpreviously pointed out.

Having thus described my mventlon and illustrated its use what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the following 1. In anapparatus scribed, the combination of a set of hollow drying rollsoverwhich the paper stock first passes, a, second set of. hollow'dryingrolls over which the paper stock subsequently" passes, means for,supplying steam to the of the character'desecond set of rolls, and atubular connection f leading from the second set to the first set ofrolls and directl communicating adjacent one end with t e outlets of thesecond set and adjacent the other end with the in lets of the first setof rolls to supply the latter with steam, the first set of rollsconstituting a condensing system adapted to cause a. rapidcflow of steamthrough the rolls of the second set by condensing the steam and reducingthe pressure in the tubular connection, said flow being-variable toaccommodate'the load of the apparatus.

2. In apparatus of the character described thecomblnation ofa pluralityof drying cylinders arranged in two sections, a steam supply pipeconnected to the cylinders of the first section, a controller, areceiving pipe connected to the cylinders of the first section andleadingto the controller, a connection from the receiving pipe to the cyinders 'of the second section, and means for discharging the controllerof condensation, the receiving pipe and vits connection providing anunobstructed passage for conveying the steam from the cylinders of theinlet side of the first section to the cylinders of the second section,I

- 3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of aplurality of hollow heating rolls arranged in two sec- "tions, a steamsupply pipe for the cylinders of the first section, a controller, a,receiving pipe connected to the cylinders of the first section andleading to the controller, a connection between the receiving pipe andthe cylinders of the second section, for conveying the steam from the clinders of the first section to the cylinders o "the second section, asteam supply pipe for the controller, a discharge pipe for thecontroller, a vent pipe leading from the controller to the connectionbetween the receiving pipe and the I cylinders of the second section,and valve scribed, the combination of a mechanism for governingdischargeof the hollow heating rolls arranged .111 two sections, a-steam supplypipe for the cylinders of the first section, a controller, a receivingpipe connected to the cylinders of the first section and leading to thecontroller, a connection between the receiving pipe and the cylinders ofthe second section for convey: ing the steam from the cylinders of thefirst section to the cylinders of the second sec tion, a steam supplypipe for the controller,

a; discharge pipe for the controller, a vent pipe leading from thecontroller to the connection between the receiving pipe and thecylinders of the second section, a check valve-in the vent pipe, andvalve mechanism for controlling the discharge of the controller.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with aplurality of grouped drying cylinders over which a portion of the paperweb in its travel is adapted to pass, means for supplying steamthereto,"a condensing system having a tubelar feed connection leadingthereto from the cylinders and constructed to communicate freely withthe outlets of the cylinders and the inlet of the system, saidcondensing sys- ,telll being adapted to direct heat to another portionof the paper web and for condensing the steam whereby to reduce thepressure in the tubular connection adjacent the outlets and cause arapid flow of used steam from the cylinders to the system, substantiallyas described;

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of twohollow drying cylinders, a steam supply pipe leading to one of thecylinders, a connection from the said cylinder to the other cylinderfor.

conveying the steam from the first mentioned cylinder to the secondcylinder, a

controller adapted to receive the condensation of the second cylinder,and means for discharging the controller of its contents, the secondcylinder condensing the steam :it receives thereby causing a flow ofsteam from the first cylinder to the second.

7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of twohollow drying cylinders, a steam supply pipe leading to one of thecylinders, a controller, a receiving pipe leading from the said cylinderto the controller adapted to carry the condensation of the said cylinderto the controller, a connection between the receiving pipe and thesecond cylinder for conveying the steam from the first cylinder to thesecond cylinder, the second cylinder condensing the steam itreceivesthereby causing a flow of steam from the first to the secondcylinder,

'a steam supply pipe for the controller, a discharge pipe leading fromthe controller, :a vent pipe leading from the controller to theconnection between the receiving pipe and the second cylinder, and meansfor discharging the second cylinder of condensation.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with aplurality of drying cylinders; over which a portion of the paper web inits travel is adapted to pass, a steam header having branch connectionsleading. to the inlets of the cylinders, a condensing system, and a feedconnection leading from the cylinders to the condensing systemcomprising a return header formed with inlets in its wall communicatingdi-- rectly with the outlets of the cylinders, to equalize the pressuretherein, the condensing system being adapted to direct heat to anotherportion ofthe paper web and for condensing the steam whereby to cause arapid flow of used steam iii-om the outlets of the cylinders and throughthe said'connection to the system.

9. In apparatus of the character described,

the combination of two hollow drying cylin ders, a steam supply pipeleading to one of the cylinders, a connection from the said cylinder tothe other cylinder for conveying the steam from the first mentionedcylinder to the second cylinder, a controller adapted to receive thecondensation of the second cyl-' inder, means for discharging thecontroller of its contents, the second cylinder condensing the steam itreceives thereby causing a flow of steam from the first cylinder to thesecond, and means for controlling the said flow of the steam therebyregulating the temperature of the first cylinder.

10. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a seriesof hollow drying cylinders arranged in two sections, a steam supply pipeleading to the cylinders in one section, a return pipe for each sectionconnected to the cylinders of each section, a pipe leading from thereturn pipe in one of the sections to the cylinders in the othersection, a controller connected to each return pipe for receiving thecondensation of both sections and means for dischargingboth controllers.I

11. In a sectional drying machine of the character described, thecombination of a plurality of sections of drying cylinders, steam supplypipes leading to some of the sections, a return or discharge pipe foreach of the sections, connections leading from the return pipes of thesteam supplied sections to the cylinders of the remaining sections toconvey the steam from the first mentioned sections to the said remainingsections, and means for discharging the return pipes of condensation.

12. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a hollowdrying cylinder, a steam supply pipe leading thereto, a receiving ordischarge pipe connected to the cylinder, a condensin system connectedtothe receiving pipe a apted to cause a flow of steam through thecylinder by condensing the steam and reducing the pressure in the saidreceiving pipe and means for automatically breaking any vacuum formingin the drying cylinder. I

13. In apparatus of the character .de

scribed, the combination of two-hollow drying cylinders, a steam supplypipe leading to one of the cylinders, a connection from the saidcylinder to the other cylinder for conveying the steam from the firstmentioned cylinder to the second cylinder, a controller adapted toreceive the condensation of the second cylinder, means for dischargingthe controller of its contents, and means in t e controller forautomatically breaking any vacuum forming in, the apparatus, the secondcylinder condensing the steam it receives thereby causing a flow ofsteam from the first-cylinder to the second.

14. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a seriesof hollow drying cylinders arranged in two sections,

trollers for automatically breaking any vacuum forming in the apparatus.4 v

15. In apparatus of the character described, the, combination of twohollow drying cylinders, a steam supply pipe leading to one of thecylinders, a connection leading from the said cylinder to the othercylinder, a discharge pipe for the second cylinder, the

second cylinder condensing the steam it reond section for conveying thesteam from the first section to the second section, a return pipe forthe second section, a'con tr'oller connected to the return pipe adapted.

to receive the condensation of the section, a

cylinder forming a part of the second sec-v tlon of cylinders, but notconnected thereto, a vent pipe leading from the controller to the saidcylinder, and a discharge pipe leading from the cylinder. a

17 In combination in a fabric making machine, a set of hollow dryingrolls over which the fabric first passes, asecond set of hollow dryingrolls. over which the fab- .ric subsequentlypasses, means for supplyingsteam to the second, set of rolls, means for conducting the steam to.the first set of rolls after its passage through the second set, and acontroller for disposing of the condensation from the first set ofrolls, the

said-controller constituting the only outlet -means from the first setof rolls, so that all.

of the steam supplied to the first set of, rolls is condensed therein. I

18. In combination in a fabric making machine, 'a set'of hollow dryingrolls over which the fabric passes, means for supplying steam to therolls, and a controller for disposing of the condensation from the setof rolls,'the said controller constituting the only outlet means fromthe rolls so that all lfi5 of the steam supplied to the rolls iscondensed therein.

' thereto, a receiving 19. In an apparatus of the character described, aplurality of hollow drying rolls over which the fabric passes, means forsupplying steam to the rolls, a receiving header for the rolls, and adevice connected with said header for breaking any vacuum forming in therolls.

20.- In' an apparatus of the character described, a group of steamsupplied hollow drying rolls over. which the web passes, a receivingheader for the rolls, and a means connected with said header forreceiving the condensation from the header and for breaking any vacuumforming in said rolls.

21. In anapparatus. of the character described, the combination with aplurality oi grouped hollow drying cylinders over which a portion of thepaper web-in its travel is adapted to pass, means for supplyingsteamheader formed With inlets connected directly with the outlets of outletsof said cylinders by condensing the the cylinder and positioned out ofthe line' of "paper travel to receive the used steam from the cylinders,and a condensing system connected with the said headeixand adapted tocause a rapid flow of steam through the to induce a rapid flow of signedmy name in steam and reducing the pressure in the said receiving headerbelow that of the cylinders, said system being arranged with referenceto the group of cylinders so that the 'used steam is'induced to flow ina direction opposed to that of the travel of the web to heat anotherportion of the web, substantially as described.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with aplurality of hollow drying cylinders provided with outlets, means forsupplying steam thereto at a given pressure, a condensing system, and'aconnection between the condensing system and the cylinders adapted tocommunicate with the outlets of the cylinders said condensing systemforming a part of the apparatus and adapted to condense the used steamreceived from the cylinders whereby steam through the outlets withoutsubstantially differentiating the pressures in the cylinders. Intestimony whereof I havethe presence of the two subscribed witnesses.

- JOHN O; WOODSOME. -Witnesses:

C. J. ScmPrLooK, L. GLEIsER.

hereunto

